Woman guilty of road rage attack told driver: I'll break your legs

Maria Lemos, 40, launched a foul-mouthed tirade against the driver when her £55,000 4x4 Cayenne bumped into the rear of his E-class Mercedes at traffic lights. Today City of London magistrates found her guilty of assault. Chauffeur Kenneth Oakley, 50, told the court he suspected Lemos was drunk.

He said: "I did smell what I believed to be alcohol coming from the car and lady. Her eyes were glazed and her speech slurred." The incident took place in Chelsea Bridge Road on November 7 last year.

Mr Oakley said Lemos got out and claimed there had been no crash before trying to drive off: "Then it all got a bit horrible. I stood in front of her door to stop her and she pulled the door forcibly, slamming it into my arm. A lot of abusive language started to come out and I was kicked twice. There was enough force to make me wince ... She started driving and I got out of the way, not wanting to be run over."

Lemos was arrested at her flat near Marble Arch, in a block where another is on sale for £2.5 million. She denied drinking, saying she feared being carjacked and had kicked out in self-defence. She was fined £600 with £300 costs, and must pay £100 to Mr Oakley.